A/N: Guys! The response I am getting with this is just...wow! I can't thank you all enough! :D

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing, except for the plot!

BPOV

It was for the better, I thought to myself for the nth time in the past two hours. Two hours was all I could allow myself to grieve before I carefully brought myself to my feet and stumbled to the door. It was the middle of the night, but I had to see Jake. I had to let him know of my choice. I had to let him see that I loved him and chose him. And at the moment, it didn't matter that he didn't want to see me. It didn't matter that he had explicitly said that he needed time. It didn't matter, because it was all moot, pointless.

I quietly hurried down the stairs, thinking that Charlie had to be asleep by now, but the quiet murmur of the T.V alerted me otherwise.

"Bella?" Charlie called, shocked. His voice was accompanied by the indefinite squeak of the couch as he heaved himself upright and quickly made his way to me. Charlie's face originally showed relief, glad that I was alright and had finally come out of my room, but upon looking at mine, it changed. Shock, fear, and recognition filled his saucer-like eyes as they quickly scanned over me. I blinked and looked away from him, not wanting to see the pain that was developing on his profile. He cleared his throat. "You okay?" he asked, a hopeless tone rang through it. He knew it was an unnecessary question, but customary all the same.

I pressed my lips into a small smile of reassurance before looking up at him and nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine, Dad. But…I need to go see Jake." I explained to him. A flash of triumph flickered on his face, before he deadpanned and a small furrow creased between his eyebrows. "I know it's late," I continued before he could begin his argument, "but it's important, and shouldn't wait." How could I make Jake wait any longer thinking that I was marrying Edward and didn't love him? It would be cruel.

Charlie hesitated for a moment, thinking about whether or not he wanted his daughter parading around in the middle of the night, no matter how important it was. Whether or not I was doing what he had been hoping for, whether or not I was heading to the people he trusted most, he still had to worry about his only daughter.

How many times had he worried about that, only to find that I wasn't coming home for a while?

Charlie's sigh brought me from my thoughts. "Be careful, Bells." he said. I nodded once and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Dad." I thanked him quietly before turning and heading out into the night.

The drive to La Push went by without my noticing. I do not remember thinking anything relevant during the ride, I do not remember telling myself when to turn and when to brake; it was as if I was on autopilot, and before I knew it my bulbous truck was pulling into the curb outside of Jakes house.

I looked up at the small house. The last time I had been here, it had been flooding with people, Jacob had been cringing in pain as his bones re-healed and his heart re-broke. Billy, Jacob's father, had been so worried for his son, never thinking that out of the entire pack, it would be his boy that would be harmed. The noise of people retelling the tale and worrying had filled the Black's land. Now though, it was silent. All of the windows were dark, the house nearly invisible against the landscape around it.

They were asleep. Of course they were asleep; it was the middle of the night. But…this wasn't something that could wait. He needed to know. I moved to open my door, but stopped when I noticed that I was still wearing his ring. I hadn't been able to give it back to him before he left, and now…he was most likely long gone by now. Sighing, I gently pulled the timeless heirloom from my finger and carefully placed it in the glove department. One day, I would find him and return his mothers ring to him, I thought before opening the cab door and stepping out.

The world was quiet around me as I made my way to the front door. It was as if the entire world was waiting with baited breath for this one moment. Would he take me, after I've hurt him so much? Would he even open the door?

That question was answered as the front window suddenly became illuminated, and the door wrenched open. There, standing eight feet from me was Jake, his tall form filling the door frame. I felt my steps slow as I looked at him; his arms crossed almost defensively, his chin raised. I couldn't see his face in the shadow, but I imagined it matched his stance: cold and defensive. I stopped walking. This wasn't going to work, I thought. Seeing him possibly glaring at me, I knew it wouldn't work.

"What do you want, Bella?" he asked across the way, stepping onto his porch and shutting the door behind him. I bit my lip and forced my eyes away from him. Why was I doing this to him?

"I…I had to see you." I fumbled.

"Why? To rub more salt in my wounds?" he asked cynically. "Sorry Bella, but I'm not in the mood for that today." He turned to head back into his house. No! I can't let him walk away!

"I left him!" I called after him, my voice pathetically quiet. It was quiet, but Jake still heard it with his sensitive hearing, and his paused mid step. There was a millisecond of stillness before he whirled around and stared at me, an air of astonishment radiating across the way.

"What did you just say?" he asked while leaping off of the porch and slowly walking toward me.

"I left him." I repeated, no more than a whisper. All of the courage and determination I had had seemed to have disappeared as I spoke, draining me of any energy I had. Jake stopped right in front of me, bending to my level. I could see his face now. I could the look of hope and surprise in his eyes, but also wariness. He didn't fully believe me.

"Why?" he breathed. Why? What kind of question was that? He should know exactly why. Or, maybe he did. Maybe he did know, but he just didn't believe it. I felt a small, gentle smile spread on my face, before I placed my hand against his warm cheek. His eyes widened as he unconsciously leaned into my hand, his gaze not leaving mine.

With a smile on my face, I pulled myself closer to Jacob's, feeling his hot breath quicken.

"Because I love you." I whispered before pressing my lips to his. His warm lips ignited a spark deep within me, a pleasurable fire starting. He didn't respond for a moment, startled by this turn of events. I wrapped my left hand, now free of weighted tie to Edward, and tangled fingers into his hair, pulling him closer to me. Jacob took the hint and growled lowly, before wrapping his warm arms around me and crushing me to him.

This was right, I thought, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck. No matter how unfamiliar it was, it was right. This passionate pyre that engulfed my body was perfectly normal and right, nothing at all like the icy fire I had come to know. This was not a battle against nature, being with Jacob, not a contradiction, oxymoron, or a cruel ironic twist of fate. It was right, as natural as breathing.

I'm not exactly sure how long Jake and I stayed wrapped in our own fiery embrace, it could have been hour, days, or just a few milliseconds. Time seemed to disintegrate under the heat. But, all things have to end. I only wish it had ended more…gracefully.

Yet, me being me, we were interrupted in the most unromantic and ungraceful way possible.

My stomach unleashed a horrendous and almost animalistic growl of its own. I felt a raging blush flood my face. What a perfect time for my stomach to decide to make its presence known. Jacob pulled away from me, leaning his forehead against mine, and let out a breathless chuckle.

"When was the last time you ate?" he asked me. I blinked a few times. Good question. Umm…

"I honestly don't remember." I answered him. He chuckled once before pressing his lips to my forehead, grabbing my hand, and pulling me toward his house.

"Come on, Bella. It may not be as good as your lasagna, but I sure we have something in this house." he said, leading me up the door. I smiled and let him lead me, concentrating on the rough calloused hand that covered mine. The flames that flickered across my skin at his touch were a new experience. It was as if while living under Edward's shelter I was shielded from this extraordinary feeling. Now that I was free, I could feel this; notice how his touch actually affected me. I have to say…I loved it.

Jake quickly pulled me into the house, a light bounce in his step. I giggled softly at that. He was so happy, nothing like the Jacob whom had opened the door. Jake spun around quickly, hearing my giggle, and pinned me against the now closed door. In the light of the house, I could now clearly and undoubtedly see what was burning within Jacob's eyes. A warm tingle spread through my body as I stared at the pure love, adoration, and lust that were evident in his eyes.

He leaned in close. "And what is so funny, Ms. Swan?" he asked, his warm breath washing over my face. I smiled at him.

"Why you are of course, Mr. Black." His eyes darkened slightly and he leaned in closer, his eyes hooded. I felt one of my arms instinctively wrap itself around Jakes neck as he moved closer.

"Is that right?" he asked, his lips brushing lightly against mine. I shiver ran up my spine. I nodded minutely, causing his lips to brush mine again. A low rumble reverberated through his chest…at the same time that my stomach growled yet again. Jacob barked a laugh out. "Right, food." he remembers, pecking me on the lips quickly before continuing to the kitchen.

I settled myself at the table, a little peeved at my stomach. I mean, twice in a row? That would only happen to me, I thought as I watched Jake moved around the small kitchen. My anger dispersed slightly with every smile he flashed my way as he dug through the cabinets and fridge. I watched as he quickly pulled together some "masterpiece", hiding it from me as he worked. I had to laugh every time he would look over his shoulder conspiratorially, before hurrying back to his work.

He was so happy. That thought made my smile widen to the point where it almost hurt. He was so happy, his dark eyes were bright instead of heavy, his step was bouncy instead sluggish, his smile seemed to have brighten a tenfold since I had gotten here. He was so happy, and his happiness radiated throughout the air and only added to my own.

I had never, in my life, been surrounded by such joy.

"Hey," Jake's voice brought me out of the gleeful atmosphere. I blinked and found him kneeling in front of me, a plated sandwich sitting on the table. Jake's voice was wary and concerned, his hand on either side of my face. "What's wrong?" he asked me quietly. His thumb brushed something off of my cheek. It was then that I noticed that…I was crying. I shook my head at him and smiled.

"I'm just happy." I blinked, allowing a few more tears to escape. Jacob flashed his diamond smile at me, and wiped more tears away.

"I'm happy too, Bells. So, happy." he whispered, before kissing my forehead and nodding toward the sandwich. "Now, eat." he ordered, before taking a seat across from me. I picked up the sandwich anyway and took a bite.

"Very good, Jacob, you can make a sandwich." I praised him, making him laugh. Suddenly I had a vision, much like the one I had only a few weeks earlier. Jacob and I sitting at a table, much like we were now only the setting was different: the kitchen was larger, the table fitted for more people-two children to be exact- and dish of lasagna was sitting before us. Our own kitchen, in our own house, with our own family, in our own little world.

Everything I wanted and needed was in this vision, and it was beginning to form right in front of me.

A/N: Chapter 3! :D You have no idea how hard it was to write this, while knowing EXACTLY how it ends...but, here it is! I'm actually pretty pleased! But, my opinion doesn't matter, it's YOURS that does! So...tell me what you think! Reviews are always loved and wanted, both the good and the bad!